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05_390610-ch01.qxp 12/5/083:53PMPage10 The Pembroke Welsh Corgi COPYRIGHTED MATERIALCrest Stop Muzzle Withers Topline Loin Shoulder Hock Pastern Brisket Stifle 05_390610-ch01.qxp 12/5/08 3:53 PM Page 11 Chapter 1 What Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? he Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small but tough little dog. He’s surprisingly Theavy for his size and has sturdy bones and strong muscles. Yet he can move with astonishing speed and great agility. In fact, these dogs are often referred to as “a big dog in a small package.” The Corgi’s attributes came in handy on the Welsh farmland, where the breed was developed primarily to herd cattle by nipping at its heels. His job description has changed in modern times, though. He now applies his consider- able talents to being a top-notch companion animal. The American Kennel Club (AKC) places the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the Herding Group, along with much larger breeds such as the Collie and the German Shepherd Dog. Alongside this company, he competes very successfully at AKC conformation shows and other events. The Breed Standard The special characteristics of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a herding dog, are clearly described in the breed standard. A good way to learn the basics is to start with this blueprint of the breed. Serious exhibitors and dedicated breeders who strive to produce top-quality Corgis go back to the standard again and again. 11 05_390610-ch01.qxp 12/5/08 3:53 PM Page 12 12 Part I The World of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi What Is a Breed Standard? A breed standard is a detailed description of the perfect dog of that breed. Breeders use the standard as a guide in their breed- ing programs, and judges use it to evaluate the dogs in confor- mation shows. The standard is written by the national breed club, using guidelines established by the registry that recog- nizes the breed (such as the AKC or UKC). Usually, the first section of the breed standard gives a brief overview of the breed’s history. Then it describes the dog’s gen- eral appearance and size as an adult. Next is a detailed descrip- tion of the head and neck, then the back and body, and the front and rear legs. The standard then describes the ideal coat and how the dog should be presented in the show ring. It also lists all acceptable colors, patterns, and markings. Then there’s a section on how the dog moves, called gait. Finally, there’s a general description of the dog’s temperament. Each section also lists characteristics that are considered to be faults or disqualifications in the conformation ring. Superficial faults in appearance are often what distinguish a pet-quality dog from a show- or competition-quality dog. However, some faults affect the way a dog moves or his overall health. And faults in temperament are serious business. You can read all the AKC breed standards at www.akc.org. General Appearance The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a keen, hardy dog. He possesses an amazing amount of stamina and energy. He is not really a small dog, but rather a short dog. He’s got the body of a medium-size dog, but his legs are short. When you look at a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, you see a sturdy dog with enough length of leg to be very agile and fast if he needs to be. Right away, you should also notice the bright, alert expression from his oval, dark eyes and the very upright ears on his foxy head. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are 05_390610-ch01.qxp 12/5/08 3:53 PM Page 13 Chapter 1 What Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? 13 very smart dogs, interested in the world around them, and of course, in their special humans. While the average Pembroke Welsh Corgi is sturdy this does not mean blocky or heavy. As a herding dog, the Corgi needs to be fit in mind and body and be ready to take on the task at hand with enthusiasm and endurance. He was designed to be agile enough to avoid the kicks of cattle. His wise approach to life, coupled with a distinct sense of humor, are endearing characteristics. Size Ideally, your Pembroke Welsh Corgi will be 10 to 12 inches tall when measured at the withers (the point on the back right at the top of the shoulders). Corgis should not be allowed to get overweight. Most will weigh between 23 and 30 pounds. The ideal Corgi is longer than he is tall. If you measure from his withers to the base of his tail, he should be about 40 percent longer than his height at the withers. The breed standard says “moderately long and low” is an essential character- istic of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. A Corgi who is a good length but too low to the ground because of overly short legs might tire while working in the pasture. A dog with a square outline just doesn’t look like a Corgi. A dog who is too tall will lack the sturdiness that was essential for a Welsh herd- ing dog. In size, as in all Corgi attributes, balance is the key. The dog should be the right weight and size for his look, height, and purpose. No one feature should be exaggerated or emphasized above the others. Head Although the Pembroke Corgi has a foxy head, he should not have the narrow, pointed nose and squinty eyes of a fox. A very round head is not desirable either. The correct amount of stop (the space between the eyes where the skull meets the muzzle) is important. The Corgi’s head can be described as “foxy,” but it shouldn’t be pointy. 05_390610-ch01.qxp 12/5/08 3:53 PM Page 14 14 Part I The World of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Too abrupt a change, along with a heavy brow, give the dog a blocky look. Too flat a stop leaves the muzzle and forehead flowing together. Part of the foxy look comes from the erect, medium-size ears, which have a slightly rounded point. The ears are placed on the top of the head and stand up. Corgis move their ears constantly and most expressively. They usually are carried pointing back if the dog is trotting or running, but up and ahead when they are interested in something—which is much of the time. The ears should not be so large that they overwhelm the head, but may appear that way in some young puppies. The eyes, including the rims, are oval and medium in size. They can be vari- ous shades of brown. A dark brown eye, but not truly black, is preferred. Light- colored eyes are considered not as attractive. The eye rims should be black to match the lips and the nose. Sometimes a fine row of black hairs outlines the rims, like mascara. It is important in dogs like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a working her- itage that the teeth are correct. Dogs are not allowed to have braces or ortho- dontic work! In Corgis, the small incisors in front should just overlap, with the top teeth covering the bottom teeth but with no gap between. That way, all of the teeth should align properly and your Corgi can grab things and chew with- out any problems. Neck, Topline, and Body A Pembroke Welsh Corgi should have a moderately long neck. A neck that is too short will make him look stuffy, while a very long neck looks weak. The topline is the line along back of the dog. In a Corgi, the topline should be level. That is the ideal, though some Corgis may have a slight dip or a roach (upward curve at the rump) on their toplines. This straight back should stay level even when your Corgi is trotting across your yard. At a gallop, it will change as the dog’s back flexes. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a solid body. Remember, these are medium dogs with short legs. They have a deep chest with plenty of room for their lungs to expand and provide that extra oxygen they need when working. The loin area on a Corgi is from the end of the rib cage to the top of the hip. While the back may look long, this area should be fairly short, giving your Corgi agility and a short turning radius. One of the most distinguishing features of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is his lack of a tail—and thereby hangs a tale! In the early days of the breed, many Pembrokes were born tailless or with short stumps. The natural bobtail may range in length from “barely present” to a couple of inches long. This in no way 05_390610-ch01.qxp 12/5/08 3:53 PM Page 15 Chapter 1 What Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? 15 The ideal Corgi has a level topline. hampered their activities. While taillessness is a genetic factor, it is not due to a defective gene. Over the course of time, breeders selected their stock for other features to improve the breed, and the gene for taillessness ended up being swamped in the gene pool. Many of the puppies born today have long tails. According to the standard, they should be docked as short as possible without being indented. This is done a few days after birth. A tail up to two inches long is allowable if it doesn’t spoil the contour of the topline.